Eugene (KMTR) - Medical professionals from all over the local community, and country, will take some time off from their regular practices in the coming weeks, to take care of the track and field athletes competing for a spot on Team USA. Dr. Justin Montoya at Pro Health Family Medicine in Eugene is heading up the effort, as medical director for the trials. He has massage therapists and chiropractors as well as physicians, athletic trainers, and physical therapists on the team. Dr. Montoya says one of the surprises visiting athletes face is allergies, “There's a lot of people from around the country who aren't even sure they have allergies until they arrive in Eugene this time of year, and then they're going, what is this going on?"
Dr. Montoya has about 130 people on his team who all need to be up-to-date on the Olympic Committee's anti-doping regulations. Some medicines they might use in normal situations are not allowed in competition, and they wouldn't want to unintentionally disqualify anyone.
This medical team is only responsible for the athletes; spectators will have a whole separate crew on call to take care of any medical needs at the festival, or in the stands at Hayward.
